Why The Oscars Gave Me Writing Nightmares

I watched the Oscars for a bit with my sister last night, and right before they started, they panned out to show a view of the audience taking their seats in the enormous Kodak Theater.

I looked at my sister and shuddered. "That's a lot of people."

"Imagine you had to present an award there," she said. "Imagine they called you up to present the award for the movie based on your book."

I rolled my eyes, but I couldn't help feeling flattered to know she believes in me that much. Hey... when we dream, we dream big ;)

It got me thinking though.

Although I've had to do them all through school, and even still at work for meetings, I absolutely, completely and totally HATE presentations. Because they always involved public speaking.

I abhor being the center of attention... I am by no means extroverted in any sense, and I've always shied away from the spotlight. Unless I'm very comfortable with people, all eyes turned to me usually means sweat city accompanied by a woozy stomach on the side.

The thing is, if you want to be a successful writer and dream BIG... chances are--someone, some day is going to ask you to speak at something, somewhere.

Then what? Can you say no? Is that bad?

They say practice makes perfect, and the more you work at something, the better you get at it. I think I may be an anomaly when it comes to this rule. Maybe it skipped a generation...

I've actually tried to take a course that would help with this, and ended up dropping it at the last minute because I couldn't go through with it.

I guess we'll just have to wait and see... this could all be fruitless worrying ;)

What about you? Are you an extrovert or an introvert? Do you like being in the spotlight? Do you think it will have an impact on your writing career?

Crusader Welcome and Chocolate

First of all, I would like to say hello and WELCOME to all of the Crusaders and new followers! :)

*Waves HI!*

I spent most of yesterday catching up on my blog list, and following everyone back... if I haven't made it to you as yet, I promise I will soon. I want to make sure I get to everyone, so it will be a short post today.

It's been awesome checking out everyone's blogs and meeting lots of fantastic people. I love how this platform allows us the opportunity to do this. Thank you all for not only showing the love, but for also spreading it around.

For anyone who is not participating in this year's Writer's Platform-Building Crusade, hop on over to Rach's page to check out some fabulous blogs when you have a chance.

On a side note, I have a serious craving for chocolate chip cookies, double chocolate chip cookies, and banana chocolate chip muffins (do you see a trend there?)... hmmmm... yeeeah... since I'm home today, I think I'm going to be spending some quality time in the kitchen too ;)

How was everyone's weekend? Did you do anything new and interesting? Not new? Please share!

Your Cheatin' Heart

You know... we're in love... my MS and I.

We really do like each other despite the differences. We've been together for so long... through all the ups and downs. And although things have been crazy lately, we are trying to sort through our problems.

But these last few weeks have truly been a test to our relationship. Nothing seems to be going right... I'm finding issues that never existed, things I overlooked in the past because I was blinded by the love...

And... the thing is... there's someone else...

...Someone who's been lurking in the background, just waiting for their chance with me. Someone who's been filling my head with all sorts of ideas, and fancy notions, and exciting twists... trying to monopolize my time and pull me away from the one who needs me the most right now...

Sigh. Book 2... I want to... I really do, but edits on Book 1 HAVE to come first. All of our plans will have to wait. I promise, you'll have my full attention soon. Maybe when Book 1 and I are on another little break ;)

I may be weak, but I do have priorities.

How do you ignore the pull to work on something else while you're in the middle of edits/revisions? DO you ignore the pull?

Hope everyone had a FANTASTIC Valentine's Day :)

(sorry this post is late - it should have gone up yesterday, but Blogger hates me)

To Print or Not To Print

I ordered a new printer two days ago.

It arrived today.

And I am OVER THE MOON.

No... seriously.

I LOVE this thing.

It's a LASER printer!! I spent the last hour setting it up.

Nothing extravagant (it was dirt cheap), and it can't do more than print black and white, but it's SO fast for such a tiny little thing, and will have 400 pages sitting in front of me in no time at all AND I'll still have ink leftover! Which is more than I can say for my four year old Inkjet :)

I've been debating about this for over a year now. I really wasn't sure, but I eventually decided that at some point I would need to print out my MS for final editing and revisions (to send to agents?! Obviously that's quite a ways off)... I've done about 4 rounds of minor editing on the computer - finishing up the 5th round now-- but my old printer just wouldn't make the cut.

I can't wait to hold these pages in my hands! It somehow makes everything feel more real (or is that just me being overly excited again?). I actually want to take my pen and physically mark up those lines... see those scratches and side notes in my own handwriting.

Yeah, I need to get out more ;)

What's your take on this? Do you print out your MS for revisions or do you complete all your edits on the computer?

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

UPDATED: Join Rachael Harrie's Second Writers' Platform-Building Crusade! It's a great way to not only build your platform, but to connect with wonderful people on the same journey as you :) Click on over to get details and sign up!

Moments That Take Your Breath Away

Winter and I are not friends. Maybe a long time ago we were, but not anymore. Things have changed.

In fact, as I've gotten older, our relationship has pretty much dwindled to nothing.

You might even say we're borderline enemies.

I detest everything about it: the bone chilling gusts of wind, the slush that splashes all over the back of my pants no matter HOW carefully I try to walk, the obese, wet flakes that always manage to land directly in my eyes (don't ask), the fact that not only do I feel like the abominable snowman in my winter jacket, but I can't MOVE because it's so darn COLD... the list could go on forever...

Despite ALL of this though--every single winter, without fail--when the sky breaks open and releases those first few flurries of the season, I always stop in wonder and just watch.

And I remember.

Remember the good times. The happiness. The breathless anticipation of actually waiting for that blizzard to show up... I mean, come on... how can you possibly go sledding without snow? What else is there to live for when you're six?

But it's all it takes to remind me. AND inspire me. Because on that freezing, snowy day, I wrote like there was no tomorrow.

There's beauty in everything, especially the things we've long forgotten, but we're usually too busy to stop and notice. Our lives are so hectic, our days are filled with work and chores and responsibilities... but don't forget those moments that take your breath away.

What has taken your breath away lately? Have you been inspired by something unexpected? Show of hands--who has snow and hates it? Loves it?

(photo credit)

If I Didn't Write

Those of you who have been with me for a while now know that I'm no fan of my day job. By no means is it what I ever aspired to do in life. It's stifling, boring and extremely stressful, but let's not get into that today.

I know one good thing that came out of it though: it led me back to writing.

I never thought of writing in any other fashion except that it was my outlet, something of a second nature that I not only used to express myself, but also something I truly enjoyed.

I've always written... for as long as I can remember, but only in the last two years did I start thinking that maybe I wanted it to be a career instead of just a hobby. This was what I wanted to be when I "grew up".

A writer.

They always say you'll enjoy your job if you truly love what you do. And I truly love to write. And I wish more than anything that it could be my "day" job.

But you can love more than one thing. And this is what got me thinking.

Since I'm not cut out for my actual day job, what would I be if I couldn't make a living from writing? It's good to have more than one dream, even while you're still reaching for the one you want the most.

I must confess - I have lots of dreams. I'll share one with you today.

If I couldn't be a writer, I think I'd like to be a chef or a baker... something to do with food. That would probably be my second choice. I like to experiment and create things from scratch... and thank goodness most of them have been edible... so far.

I wouldn't give up writing though... I think I'll always have that, even in the background... just because I don't think I can live without it.

And, of course, now I'm curious about you ;)

What's your back up plan? What else do you love to do? What did you want to be when you grew up?